Utah Dog Bite Lawyers
Utah's strict liability law holds dog owners responsible — period.
Quick Answer
Utah has a strict liability dog bite statute, meaning the dog's owner is responsible for injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten before or shown aggressive behavior. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent.
Utah's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
Utah's dog bite law is one of the strongest in the country for victims. Under strict liability, the dog owner is automatically responsible for any injuries their dog causes — even if the dog has never bitten anyone before and even if the owner took reasonable precautions. You don't need to prove negligence. You only need to prove the dog bit you and you suffered injuries.
Dog Bite Injuries We Handle
Dog bites can cause devastating injuries: puncture wounds and lacerations requiring stitches or surgery, facial scarring and disfigurement (especially in children who are bitten at face height), nerve damage resulting in loss of sensation or motor function, broken bones from large breed jaw pressure (which can exceed 200-450 PSI), infections (15-20% of dog bites become infected with pasteurella or staph), and severe emotional trauma and PTSD. Children ages 5-9 have the highest rate of dog bite injuries, and approximately 50% of all victims are under 12 (CDC/AVMA). LawyerUp fights aggressively to ensure victims receive compensation for all medical treatment, plastic surgery, counseling, and ongoing care.
Dog Bite Statistics — The Numbers Are Alarming
Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the US every year, with 800,000 requiring medical attention (CDC). Dog bite insurance claims averaged $64,555 per claim in 2022 — up from $37,000 in 2015 (Insurance Information Institute). Utah sees an estimated 3,000-5,000 reportable dog bite incidents per year. Salt Lake County Animal Services alone handles 1,500+ bite reports annually. Settlement ranges: minor bites requiring stitches ($10,000-$30,000), moderate injuries with scarring ($30,000-$100,000), severe disfigurement especially facial ($100,000-$500,000+).
Breeds Most Frequently Involved in Serious Attacks
While any dog can bite, certain breeds are disproportionately represented in serious attack statistics. Pit bull-type dogs are involved in approximately 65-70% of fatal dog attacks in the US (DogsBite.org). Rottweilers account for roughly 10% of fatal attacks, followed by German Shepherds at 5%. Large breed jaw pressure can exceed 200-450 PSI — enough to crush bone. However, breed alone does not determine liability in Utah. Under Utah Code §18-1-1, the owner is strictly liable regardless of breed, history, or precautions taken. A careless owner with any breed is legally responsible. Utah does NOT have a statewide breed-specific ban.
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Dog Bite Injuries FAQs
No. Utah has strict liability under Utah Code §18-1-1 — meaning the owner is liable even if their dog has never bitten anyone before. There is no 'free first bite' in Utah.
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